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Tuesday 25 June 2024

Mann Ke Darpan Mein (English Translation)

‘Mann Ke Darpan Mein’, remains in my opinion, the most criminally underrated Hindi song of the past two decades. Originally written, composed and sung by OM-The Fusion Band, the song is part of a movie directed by Naseerudin Shah titled Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota that came out in the year 2006. Here, are the complete lyrics of the song along with my English translation. The song captures the essence of Life itself composed of myriad things – dreams, hopes, joys, grief, sadness etc. and through these, remarks on the resilient nature of human being despite everything Life has to offer.

 
Mann Ke Darpan Mein Dekhe Hai Kitne Rang Jeevan Ke
Saat Surr Milke Jaise Sangeet Mein Dhale
Phool Chun Chun Ke Jaise Gulshan Koi Khile
Mann Ke Darpan Mein Dekhe Hai Kitne Rang Jeevan Ke
 
In the mirror of heart reflected, one sees so many colours of Life
The way seven surs merge into Music
The way different flowers bloom into a garden
In the mirror of heart reflected, one sees so many colours of Life

Pal Mein Baadal Hai, Pal Mein Kirnien Hai
Bhor Hai, Saanjh Hai Kabhi
Ek Pal Mann Niraash Hai, Aas Hai Kabhi
Pal Mein Muskaan, Pal Mein Hairaan
Pyar Hai, Bair Hai Kabhi
Log Apne Hai Ek Pal, Gair Hai Kabhi
Pal Yeh Kab Jaane Din Bane
Jaane Kaise Din Badle Saal Mein
Ungliyon Pe Gine Agar
Yun Toh Saal Bhi Guzre Hai Kayi
Pichhe Mudd Ke Jo Dekhe Ik Baar
Aaj Bhi Yaad Hai Sabhi
Yaadon Ke Saath Khwaabon Ke Silsile Chale
Beete Har Pal Ke Rang Har Khwaab Mein Mile
Mann Ke Darpan Mein Dekhe Hai Kitne Rang Jeevan Ke
 
In a trice clouds abound, in a moment rays,
dawn at times, dusk sometimes
One moment the heart is in dismay, in a moment hopeful
In no time a smile, in a snap surprised
Sometimes there’s love, at times animosity
People are yours a moment, sometimes strangers
When do these moments turn into days?
How do days turn into years?
If one counts on fingers
many years may seem to have passed 
when one reflects back, even once
everything, in entirety, is recollected
alongside memories, walk a caravan of dreams
each dream is hued with the colour of bygone moment
In the mirror of heart reflected, one sees so many colours of Life
 
Din Ladakpan Ke Manchalepan Ke
Kitne Maasoom they Sabhi
Ab Hai Afsoos Laut Ke Aayenge Nahi
Pal Do Pal Ke Hai Saare Ehsaas
Pal Do Pal Ki Hai Zindagi
Rishten Naaten Bhi Khel Hai Pal Do Pal Ke He
Behti Nadiyan Ki Dhaar Ke Jaisi
Har Khushi Aani Jaani Hai
Saansen Jab Tak Hai Chal Rahi
Dhadkanon Mein Jab Tak Rawaani Hai
Ek Roshan Diye Ke Lau Jaisi Zindagi Ki Kahaani Hai
Aandhiyon Mein Bhi Zindagi Ki Yeh Lau Jale
Saans Ki Lay Pe Umr Ki Dastaan Chale


The days of childhood, of playfulness!
how innocent they all were?
The regret now that they won’t return!
Ephemeral are all emotions
Transient is life 
Even relationships tend to be momentary games 
Like a wave of moving river
Each delight comes and goes
Till the breaths continue,
till there’s a flow in heartbeats
like a bright candle-flame is the story of Life
Even in hurricanes does this flame burn!
upon the tempo of breaths the story of life taps.  

 

Thursday 20 June 2024

Dwelling in Graveyard

(for Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn)

While she was 
profusely drowning 
the world in tears
within her tidy room,
she could somehow clearly notice,
the flowers outside it
fluttering like stupid flags.

Was Life still there, 
waving?
After all this?
How could it!

As she went outside 
with a firm belief and 
teeming anger
to root them all out,
she found herself providing succour,
helping a kitten, caught under a tin sheet.

While living in the graveyard, as someone puts it,
one cannot weep for everyone.



Tuesday 11 June 2024

Avoiding the Abyss

So that our sense of Being 
doesn't collapse,
certain apps were designed 
to ward off the devil.

Deep down, however, we all know:
Everyone is somebody's unknown number.